I had the pleasure of presenting alongside brilliant speakers and the CANDDID study team on the “Knowing ME!” neurodiversity profiling tool, currently being developed across Cheshire and Merseyside.

This work focuses on creating a more neuro-inclusive way to understand children and young people — recognising strengths, needs and lived experiences. The aim is to support earlier conversations and enable more personalised, strengths-based support.

It was inspiring to share the stage with such passionate professionals and researchers, and to see strong interest in how the Knowing ME! tool can help drive a shift towards more neuro-affirmative approaches.

The conference brought together over 275 delegates from lived experience, health, education and social care at the seventh annual CANDDID conference. The day offered a valuable opportunity to hear from national experts on meeting the needs of neurodivergent people, particularly in the context of the NHS Fit for the Future 10-Year Health Plan.

Discussions highlighted both the urgency of addressing inequalities and the shared ambition to create meaningful, evidence-informed change. There were also valuable opportunities to connect, share learning and build relationships across sectors.

CANDDID, based in Chester and hosted by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, plays an important role in bringing together people with lived experience, clinicians, practitioners and academics to drive forward research, training and education in neurodevelopment and intellectual disabilities.

Days like this are a powerful reminder of the importance of co-production and lived experience in shaping better systems.

Find out more:

• CANDDID Conference 2026: https://www.canddid.nhs.uk/conf26
• Local neurodevelopment profiling work: https://www.pcfcheshirewest.org/nd-profiling-tool-update
• Cheshire & Merseyside Neurodevelopment Pathway:
  https://www.cheshireandmerseyside.nhs.uk/your-health/cheshire-and-merseyside-neurodevelopment-pathway/

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